Combination swab and washing tool



' NOV. 19, 1940. BQYNTQN 2,221,775

COMBINATION SWAB m WASHING T001,

Fiie Nov. 2a, 1938 Ho lc Ila' R: Ila.

IO 6b 8 7 ALEXANDER Boy/Wow 7b I INV TOR.

{175w lOa BY ya k Fig].

' ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 19,1940

UNITED STATES- PATENT. OFFICE 2,221,775 COMBINATION SWAB AND WASHING TOOL Alexander Boynton, San Antonio, Tex. Application November 28, 1938, Serial No. 242,780

12 Claims.

another to quickly .and easily convert the tool from a swab to a washing tool, and vice versa.

' Another object is to so construct a washing tool that it may be used for a swab without any change, and to so construct a swab that it may be'converted into a washing tool by simply drilling holes which may be easily plugged to reconvert the tool into a swab.

A still further object is to provide a combination 'swab and washing tool having expansible members protected from abrasion and unnecesgo sary wear by protectors that are easily and cheaply manufactured.

In addition to the foregoing objects, another purpose is to provide a means and-method for blowing out deposits from behind liners and outside of perforated casing by the application of compressed air or gas, whi ch may or may not carry abrasive substances or liquids or in combination with abrasive substances and liquids.

As a swab, the tool causes the exp'ansible memso her or.members to seal off against the well as ing or tubing by the force of well fluid above the swab exerted internally of the expansible member or members, a valve being provided prox imate the lower extremity of the tool, which valve is adapted to remain open while the swab is being lowered into the well and to close and remain closed by pressure of the fluid raised by the swab while the swab is being withdrawn from the well.

As a washing tool, the device utilizes the pump 0 pressure to expand. two expansible members into sea'iing ofi engagement between the tool and the well casing orliner. The pump fluid is then forced out between the expanded members through openings in the well casing or liner, a

5 valve being provided.- proximate the lower end of the tool, which valve is adapted to normally remain open but which will be closed by the pressure of the wash fluid.

\ By the term washing tool" is meant a tool that will cause pump fluid to be" discharged through perforations in the casing or through openings in a liner, thereby washing the formation exterior of the casing or liner.

' As a clean-out tool the device hereinafter described as a washing tool may be supplied with compressed air or gas, which may be used pure or in combination with abrasives such as sharp sand, adamantine particles or the like or in combination with a liquid, such as water, oil, napthe, gasoline or any other liquid or combination 5 of liquids or in combination with such abrasives and such liquids adapted to cut, dislodge, and expel from the well, mud, shale, settlings, and deposits of all kinds, including paraflin and asphalt.

The employment of air or gas, pure or in com- 10 bination with abrasives, either or both, or in] combination with liquids, is primarily intended for use in wells which would be damaged by the application of unaerated liquids or in wells which would allow such liquids to go out into the 15 formation so freely as to render it impossible or impracticable to secure circulation of the pump fluid. r.

I attain the foregoing objects by mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in 20 Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the swab, the valve and its upper guide member being shown in elevation. I

Fig. 2 is a side view of the shield in'I-igs; 1, 6

and I.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line {-3, Fig. 1. Fig.4 is a vertical section illustrating a modifled form of part of the body nippleof Fig. 1.' r

I Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5, Fig. '1.

Fig. 6 is asection on the line 6-6, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal section of the washing tool. the valve and its upper guide member being shown' in elevation. Similar characters of reference designate similar parts throughout the several views. 7

As a swab, the device as illustrated in Fig. 1 has the upper threaded end of perforated swaged nipple 5 attached to a cable, not shown.' The lower end of nipple 5 has threaded connection with coupling l-which'in turn has threaded connection with the swab body mandrel I having openings lc opposite the central portion of ex- 7 pansible members H. The cupsla are secured upon mandrel l by welds lb. The expansible members II, which may be of tough rubber have a loose flt over mandrel I. The proximate ends of the expansible members II are received 'within cups la and the extreme ends of members ii are received within-the cups 2, the thin metallic -shields it having channels Ilia (see Fig. 2) to receive the ends of wires 12, The shields are in turn received within cups in and 2, the latter having threaded connection over the opposite ends of mandrel I. The cup clamp ring; having 55 erably square.

threaded engagement over the mandrel I proximate its upper end, serves to lock the upper cup 2 in close engagement with the upper member II. The lower cup 2, threadedly engaged over body mandrel I is locked in close engagement with lower member II by valve seat nipple 6, having threaded engagement over the lower end of mandrel l. The ends of wires I2, which wires may be of spring steel, are slidably fitted into the channels I8a of shields L8 positioned within the cups Ia and 2, as appears in Figs. 1, 6 and '7.

Between the cups Ia and 2 the expansible members I I have longitudinal slots to receive the protector wires I2 flush with their outer surfaces, as appears in Fig.3. These wires are pref- In use, their outer surfaces quickly wear to' a perfect contour of the pip through which the swab is run. I

The purpose of shields I8 is to keep the ends of wires I2 free to move independently of the rubbers II when the rubbers are expanded to seal off against the pipe in which the swab is operated. In expanding the enlarged central ortion of the rubbers expand between cups Ia and 2, while the tapered ends Ha. seal tightly against the shields I8 and cups 2. These tapered ends of the rubbers do not stretch as does the central portion. In operation the rubbers maintain a constant end to end length. It is, therefore. apparent that each of the wires I2, in

,being bent outward by the central portion of rubbers I I as the rubbers expand, would have to slip between the tapered ends of the rubbers and cups ,Ia and 2 if the endsof the wires were not separated from the rubbers by the shields I8. The friction between the wires I2 and rubber ends Ila, when the swab acts, would be much greater than the friction between the wires and metal during a similar movement. This is Why he shields I8 are provided with channels I8a, Fig. 2, into which channels the wires I2 have a close sliding fit, the depth of channels We being approximately the same as the thickness of the wires. It will be noted that the tapered ends Ila of rubbers II extend lengthwise somewhat beyond the ends of the wires I2 and shields I8. This extension, indicated at Ila, serves at all times while the rubbers are expanded by internal force, to maintain a perfect contact and resulting seal between the rubbers and the metallic cups Ia and 2, respectively. It is apparent that each of the shields I8, or their equivalent, could be manufactured integral with the cups.

The rubbers II for both swab and washing tool should be moulded with slots provided in their tapered ends I la forthe channels I3a of shields I8 into which channels the ends of protector'wires I2-are closely slidable, as appears in Fig. 6. The ribs between the slots in the tapered ends of the rubber should also be inwardly offset by the wall thickness of the shields IS in order that the outer surface of the rubber and shields will be in alignment, as is apparent from an examination of Figs. 1 and 6. Manifestly, the slots for the wires in the periphery of the rubbers are in alignment with channels I8a when the tool is assembled. The rubbers and wires, being separate units, whichever wears out first may be replaced at small cost and the maximum service thus obtained from each in both swab and washing tool.

The valve seat nipple 6 has within it a portion of reduced diameter So. having a valve seat 6b. The spring cage nipple I has threaded connection within the lower end of nipple G. The valve l0, adapted to become engaged upon the seat 6b. is normally held open, as shown in Figs- 1 and '7, by coiled spring 8, preferably installed under some compression, and which has its lower end seated upon fins 1b proximate the lower end of 5 nipple I and its upper end engaged under the fins 9a of spring rider 9 which latter member may be pressed over valve stem Illa and secured upon it by welds I 0b and I00. The lower end of the valve stem has a free sliding fit within the 1 guide ring la, integral with the fins lb. The fins So, having a free sliding clearance within nipple I, normally engage under the internal portion of reduced diameter to, thereby supporting the valve I0 in its open position, as appears in Figs. 15

1 and '7.

To function as a swab, the device illustrated in Fig. 1 may be attached to a cable at the upper end of nipple 5 and lowered into the well. It will be understood that the swab rubbers I I and pro- 20 tector wires I2 have a slight but free clearance such as {6" to 4;" within the pipe being swabbed through, not shown but similar, excepting the perforations, to pipe IT in Fig. '1. As the swab is lowered, the ample opening between valve I0 25 and its seat 6b and the large openings between fins 9a, through spring 8, through fins Ib and through the perforations 5a of nipple 5 provide ample entrance space for well fluid in order that the swab will descend rapidly through it until 80 the swab has been properly submerged. The cable (not shown) attached to nipple 5 is then raised. All openings, except perforations 5a, may be approximately equal to each other. The perforations So should be aggregately larger than 35 either of the other openings in'order that pressure will transmit with little resistance from above the swab to valve I0 when the cable is raised;

If the swab, inadvertently, be lowered too deep into the well fluid to be safely withdrawn by the cable, the swab may be again lowered until the pressure becomes nearly equalized above and below the valve; whereupon the expansive force of spring 8 will raise the valve. then be raised slowly, so as not to seat the valve until the excess load of well liquid above the swab has been allowed to pass through it; whereupon the cable is raised more rapidly to again The swab may 45 seat the valve as the swab is withdrawn from 50 the well.

Fig. 4 shows that the swab illustrated in Fig. 1 can be changed into a washing tool to function as will hereinafter be explained for the construction illustrated in Fig. '7 by merely drilling 55 holes Id through the mandrel I between the cups Ia. Fig. 4 further illlustrates that the swab converted into a washing tool, as above stated, can be easily and quickly reconverted into a swab by closing the holes Id'with .clamps I3.and 0 gaskets l5 by means of bolt I4. I

. To function as a washing tool Fig. '7 shows the wash pipe threadedly Joined to the washing tool body nipple IA by coupling 4. The nipples 6, I

and contained valve l0, spring 8, and spring rider e5 9 are connected upon the lower end of body mandrel IA in the same manner as they are shown connected to the mandrel l in Fig. 1, and serve' the body mandrel IA. The rubbers ll preier- 7 ably have a slight clearance such as Q," over the body nipple. The shields I8 are the same in construction and purpose as stated in connection with Fig. 1. i Y

In operation the washing tool is lowered into the well upon wash pipe "i which, it is understood, may be connected to a pump at its upper end. While the tool is being lowered into the casing, well fluid may enterthe wash pipe l6 between-fins 1b, through spring 8, between fins 9a, nd pass by valve ID as is apparent. The washing tool expansible members H and wires I! have a free but slight clearance such as is" to ,4 within the casing or liner H to be washed through. When the tool has been lowered to where perforations in the pipe to be washed through are positioned between the expansible members H, as appears in Fig. "l, the pump is started. The pump pressure then closes valve l0 upon its seat 6b and expands rubbers II' by pressure exerted interior of them through openings lAc. The pump wash fluid-then goes out through slots lAb, through the perforations "a in the casing or liner I1 and up outside the casing or liner into the perforations llb above the upper rubber, through which perforations the wash water enters the pipe being washed through, whence the wash water continues up-.

ward and out of the well via the annular opening llc between the wash pipe l6 and the casing or liner [1. Y

In order to secure circulation for the wash water it will be noted that the upper rubber ll must be positioned below at least one perforation in the pipe being washed parent in Fig. '7.

In order to cause the maximum pump pressure to contact the formation through perforations Ha it is necessary that the total discharge areaof slots lAb should be relatively much greater than the aggregate discharge area of perforations "a between the rubbers ll.

The protector wires l2 providethat the washing tool may be moved in the casing or liner while the rubbers are expandedwithout greatly damaging the rubbers as they pass over the perforations.

A comparison of Figs. 1 and '7 shows that the swab illustrated in Fig. 1 can be converted into a washing tool, as shown in Fig-'7, by merely substituting the washing tool body mandrel IA in place of the swab body mandrel I; and that the washing tool can be converted into a swab by merely exchanging the mandrel IA for the mandrel l.

The washing tool as illustrated in Fig. 'I, without any change, except theaddition of perforated nipple 5, Fig. 1, canbe used for a swab, as was described for the swab illustrated inFig- 1.' If so employed only the lower rubber, however, will be completely expanded by the fluid being raised. It is apparent that the pressure which expands the lower rubber will tend to be equalized on both sides of the upper rubber through openings 5a and lAb. The washing tool in Fig. '1, therefore, will act as a one rubber swab; while the swab in Fig. 1 employs both rubbers in the swabbing operation. n

In this connection, however, it is apparent that the washing tool illustrated in Fig. '7 can be completely converted into a swab likethe one shown in Fig. 1 by employing the clamps l3, gasket l5, and bolt M, as illustrated in Fig. 4, to close the 75 openings lAb, the hole um and itsopposite comthrough, asis appanion hole (not shown) being provided to receive the bolt ll for this purpose.

If it is desired to clean out behindthe perforations of the casing or liner without employing the washing tool with only water or any other liquid, the same tool may be operated with compressed air or gas, pure or in combination with abrasives and/or liquids or combinations of either in the same manner as was described for employing the washing tool with fluid supplied by a pump, except that the spring 8 is left out or necessarily made more sensitive for use with air or gas or air or gasin combination with abrasives or a liquid than for use with a liquid only. If the tool is to beoperated with air or gas or any combination of air or gas with other solids or liquids, the nipple 6 and all contained and attached parts may be left ofi and'replaced by a cap screwed upon the lower end of mandrel IA, unless the well condition is such that the tool orpipe upon which it 'is run might become struck by the dislodged matter lodging between the pipe l6 and the casing. In the event of any such danger a light spring should be employed which will enable the pipe Hi to be pumped through if necessary. If

- the tool is used with air or gas only the pipe I 5 may be connected to a compressor. If it be desired that abrasives or liquids be mixedwith .the air or gas to accomplish better cleaning out results, a pump and/or means for inserting abrasives may be also connectedinto the pipe l6, such pump connection and/or intake for abrasives being preferably made below the compressor connection. g

If both liquid and abrasives are employed in combinat on with compressed air or gas, the

abrasives preferably should be fed into the pipe l6 below the connection through which the liquid is admitted.

It is apparent that many minor changes in 1 construction can be made within the scope of the stated objects and appended claims, which changes I reserve the right to make.

I claim:

1. A swab including a mandrel, a pair of spaced sets of perforations therein, spaced cup members fixed to the periphery of said mandrel above andbelow eachset of openings, an expansible rubber packing sleeve retained-by said cups and overlying said openings, reenforcing protective wires along the outside of said packings, and a shieldmember in each cup to receive and retain the ends of said wires.

2. A packing assembly for swabs and washing tools including a support, a pair of spaced cups thereon, a grooved shield at the inner end of each cup, a plurality of protective wire members having the ends thereof seated for sliding in said shields, and a resilient packing disposed in said cups and protected by said wire members and shields, each shield comprising a corrugated frusto-conical ring to receive the ends of the wires in the corrugations. V

3. A combination swab and washing toolincluding a mandrel, a pair of spaced sealing packings thereon, a closure means'for thelower end of said mandrel, openings through said mandrel so that pressure therein may expand said packings, and discharge ports through said mandrel between said packings so that both packings may form a seal when'the mandrel is held stationary and .fiuid under pressure discharged thereinto,

or said lower packing may 'form a seal when the tool is moved upwardly, and means to reenforce said packlngs including wires shaped to lie along the outside of the packing, and a shield'member adjacent each end of the packing to receive and retain the ends of said wires.

4. In a swab, the combination of a mandrel, a pair of cylindrical expansible members having tapered ends and peripheral longitudinal grooves intermediate said ends, a pair of proximately positioned fixed annular cups upon said mandrel, said cups containing the proximate tapered ends of said expansible members, a second pair of annular cups upon said mandrel, said second cups containing the opposite tapered ends of said members and being longitudinally adjustable upon said mandrel, locking means on said mandrel to secure said second cups in relation to said expansible members, lateral openings in said mandrel opposite said expansible members, a shield within each of said cups, said shields having longitudinal channels adapted to register with said grooves, spaced protector wires in said longitudinal grooves and channels, the ends-of said wires being slidable between said cups and said shields, and a check valve in the lower end of said mandrel, said valve being adapted to be opened by pressure from below said mandrel and to be closed by pressure within the same.

5. In a swab, the combination of a mandrel, a pair of cylindrical expansible members and a pair of proximately positioned cups upon said mandrel, said cups containing the proximate ends of said expansible members, a second pair of cups upon said mandrel, said second cups containing the opposite ends of said members, lateral openings in said mandrel opposite said expansible members, a shield within each of said cups, spaced protector wires longitudinally of said expansible members, the ends of said wires being slidable between said cups and said shields, and a valve closure means in the lower end of said mandrel.

6. A swab comprising a mandrel, a pair of cylindrical expansible members and a pair of proximately positioned cups upon said mandrel, said cups containing the proximate ends of said expansible members, a second pair of cups upon said mandrel, said second cups containing the opposite ends of said members, lateral openings in said mandrel opposite said expansible members, spaced protector wires longitudinally of said expansible members and embedded therein, said wires having the ends thereof slidable within said cups, and a check valve in the lower end of said mandrel, said valvebeing adapted to be opened by pressure from below said mandrel and to be closed by pressure within the same.

'I. A washing tool comprising a mandrel having its upper end adapted to be joined to a string of pipe, a pair of cylindrical expansible members upon said mandrel, said members having each end tapered and having longitudinal peripheral grooves exterior thereof between said ends, a pair of proximately positioned fixed annular cups upon said mandrel, said cups containing the proximate tapered ends of said expansible members and having longitudinal internal channels adapted to register with said grooves, a second pair of cups on said mandrel, said second cups containing the opposite tapered ends of said expansible members and being longitudinally ad- Justable relative to said members, said second cups also having longitudinal internal channels adapted to register with said grooves, spaced protector wires in said grooves and channels, the ends of said wires being slidable in said channels, lateral openings in said mandrel opposite said members, second lateral openings in said mandrel between said proximate cups, and a check valve in the lower end of said mandrel, said valve being adapted to be opened by pressure from below said mandrel to be closed by pressure within the same.

8. A washing tool comprising a mandrel having its upper end adapted to be joined to a string of pipe, a pair of cylindrical expansible members around said mandrel, said members having each end tapered and having external longitudinal grooves intermediate said ends, a pair of proximately positioned fixed annular cups upon said mandrel, said cups containing the proximate tapered ends of said expansible members, a second pair of cups on said mandrel, said second cups containing the opposite tapered ends of said expansible members and being longitudinally adjustable-relative to said members, a metallic shield within each of said cups, said shields having longitudinal channels adapted to register with said grooves, spaced protector wires in said grooves and extending into said channels, lateral openings in said mandrel opposite said members, second lateral openings in said mandrel between said proximate cups, and a spring loaded check valve in the lower end of said mandrel, said valve being adapted to be opened by pressure from below said mandrel and to be closed by pressure within the same.

'9. A combination swab and washing tool assembly comprising a mandrel, a pair of expansible members thereon having longitudinal peripheral grooves and tapered ends, a pair of proximately positioned fixed annular cups upon said mandrel, said cups containing the proximate tapered ends of said expansible members, a second pair of cups on said mandrel, said second cups containing the opposite tapered ends of said members and being longitudinally adjustable relative thereto, an annular shield within each of said cups, said shields having longitudinal channels adapted to register with said grooves, spaced protector wiresin said channels and grooves, the ends of said wires being slidable in said channels, lateral openings in said mandrel opposite said members, second lateral openings in said mandrel between said proximate cups, a check valve in the lower end of said mandrel, said valve being adapted to be opened by pressure from below said mandrel and to be closed by pressure within the same; clamp means for closing said second lateral openings in forming a swab, and means for connecting the upper end of said tool to a perforated nipple having means for attach-- ment upon a cable to complete said swab and means for connecting a pipe to the upper end of said mandrel for converting said assembly into a washing tool.

10. In a tool for cleaning wells and removing liquid therefrom, an assembly comprising an annular expansible member upon a mandrel, said member having tapered ends and peripherallongitudinal grooves exterior thereof intermediate said ends, lateral openings in said mandrel oppo-.

site said member, confronting metallic cups on said mandrel housing said tapered ends, shields within the ends of said confronting cups, said shields having longitudinal channels adapted to register with said grooves, and protector wires in said grooves and channels.

11. In a tool for cleaning wells and removing liquid therefrom, an assembly comprising an annular expansible member upon a mandrel, said member having tapered ends and peripheral longitudinal grooves exterior thereof intermediv 2,221,775 ate said ends and said mandrel having mmopenings opposite said member and confronting metallic cups housing said tapered ends, one oi said cups being adjustable relative to said member, means upon said mandrel for securing said adjustable cup, a shield within the end of each of said cups, said shields having longitudinal channels adapted to register with said grooves, and protector wires in said grooves and channels.

12. In a tool for cleaning wells and removin liquid therefrom, a mandrel, an assembly comprising an annular expansible member upon said and protector wires in said grooves a d channels. 10

ALEXANDER noYn'roN. 

